FORENSIC POLYGRAPH EXAMINERS:  REQUIRE CRIMINAL HISTORY CHECK

House Bill 6204

Sponsor:  Rep. Charles LaSata

Committee:  Criminal Justice

Complete to 11-30-04

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 6204 AS INTRODUCED 9-9-04

The bill would amend the Forensic Polygraph Examiners Act to require an applicant for licensure as an examiner to undergo a criminal history check.  The act lists the criteria that an applicant must meet in order to be licensed as a forensic polygraph examiner.  Currently, an applicant must furnish the State Board of Forensic Polygraph Examiners with two sets of completed fingerprint cards.  The bill would also require an applicant to arrange for the conduct of a criminal history check.  The check would have to fail to demonstrate his or her ineligibility to be an examiner.

The bill would also require the board to submit the applicant's fingerprints, along with the appropriate state and federal fees, to the Michigan Department of State Police for a criminal history check.  The MSP could forward the fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a criminal history check.  Information obtained as a result of the criminal history check of an applicant would be limited to officially determining the character and fitness of the applicant for licensing purpose.

MCL 338.1710

FISCAL IMPACT:

Since this bill does not raise the application fees for polygraph examiners, the Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG) will have to absorb the cost of criminal history checks. The current cost for the combined State and FBI criminal history check is $54. Total new and renewal polygraph examiner licenses are expected to total approximately 150 annually, resulting in additional cost to DLEG of approximately $8,100.00.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Susan Stutzky

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Richard Child

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.